APS may ask for yearly proof of residence

Albuquerque Public Schools parents may have to provide more paperwork each school year, if the school board approves of a new policy that will require families to show proof of residency at registration.

The policy is a contentious issue because the added paperwork requirement would likely be a hurdle for homeless students and undocumented families.

Last week, the board decided to gather more public input before passing the policy.

Mike Mertz, president of the North Valley Elementary Parents Teachers Association, has openly supported the policy.

"Some school districts around the country, require five, seven pieces of documentation every year. We are asking APS to consider a policy that requires simply one every year," Mertz said. "There are schools around the district that are really overcrowded, and we think this would help not in our school but in other schools as well."